Patch_W_Adams National Fox Blog

New safety rules for children's clothes have stores in a fit Email Picture Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times A Goodwill store in Los Angeles is among those that will be required to pay for private testing for lead and phthalates of all clothing for those under age 13. Some owners say the cost of testing for toxic lead and phthalates will shut their businesses. The law goes into effect Feb. 10. By Alana Semuels
January 2, 2009 Barring a reprieve, regulations set to take effect next month could force thousands of clothing retailers and thrift stores to throw away trunkloads of children's clothing.

The law, aimed at keeping lead-filled merchandise away from children, mandates that all products sold for those age 12 and younger -- including clothing -- be tested for lead and phthalates, which are chemicals used to make plastics more pliable. Those that haven't been tested will be considered hazardous, regardless of whether they actually contain lead.

"They'll all have to go to the landfill," said Adele Meyer, executive director of the National Assn. of Resale and Thrift Shops.

The new regulations take effect Feb. 10 under the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, which was passed by Congress last year in response to widespread recalls of products that posed a threat to children, including toys made with lead or lead-based paint.

Supporters say the measure is sorely needed. One health advocacy group said it found high levels of lead in dozens of products purchased around the country, including children's jewelry, backpacks and ponchos.

Lead can also be found in buttons or charms on clothing and on appliques that have been added to fabric, said Charles Margulis, communications director for the Center for Environmental Health in Oakland. A child in Minnesota died a few years ago after swallowing a lead charm on his sneaker, he said.

But others say the measure was written too broadly. Among the most vocal critics to emerge in recent weeks are U.S.-based makers of handcrafted toys and handmade clothes, as well as thrift and consignment shops that sell children's clothing. To Read the Whole Article Go To: http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-thrift2-2009jan0
2,0,2083247.story The Story Doesn't say it, but this also covers Flea Markets, Garage Sales and anywhere people sell kids stuff used or new...... Well there went one Freedom, the Freedom to sell my kids clothes to a Resale shop...that is unless I am rich enough to get it tested first..which costs more than the Clothes are worth.......